Necktie-clasp.



c. w. BITNER.

NECKTIE CLASP.

APPLICATION r1150 OCT. 1a, 1915.

1,204,931 Patented Nov. 14, 1916.

CHARLES W. BITNER, F TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA.

NECKTIE-CLASP.

' Specification of Letters Patent. Patgnted N -14 1916 Application filed october 13, 1915. SerialNo. 55,723.

To aZZ'wiwm it may concern: H

: Beit known that I, CHARLES N. BrrNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Terre Haute, in the county of Vigo', and

. State of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Necktie-Clasps, of which the following is a specification. This invention contemplates-the provision of a clasp primarily intended to retain the tie properly positioned upon the bosom of a shirt, but susceptible to other analogous uses.

- The invention aims to provide a device of this character which when associated with the tie and shirt will be wholly concealed by the former with a view of adding to the appearance of the user of such devices.

Other objects will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood from the following description, the invention residing in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully set forth. j

In the drawing forming part of this application like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views and wherein Figure, l is a view showing the device in use, the same being shown in dotted lines concealed behind the tie. elevation partly in section showing the normal position of the parts, the dotted lines showing the position of the parts when the device is opened. Fig. 3 is a top plan view.

Fig. 4 is a front end view. Fig. 5 is a top plan view, the upper member being broken away showing the interior of the device.

.Fig. 6 is a view showing the device used in connection with the lapel of a coat securing a bouquet thereon.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated, 5 designates the base having its forward end bent upwardly to provide a fixed jaw 6, which latter ifdesired may be formed with a toothed surface 7. The opposite end of the base is bent forwardly upon itself in spaced relation to the base 5, and at a point approximately midway of its length, the extension 8 is reduced as at 9, the reduced portion being slightly inclined upwardly terminating to provide a hook-like portion 10. Rising from the extension 8 at a point in its length are spaced pivot lugs 11 upon which the lever 12 is mounted, the latter being substantially U-shaped in cross section, the

Fig. 2 is a side parallel sides 13 of which straddle the lugs 11 and pivoted thereto for rocking' movement upon the pivot bolt 14. The sides 13 are cut away adjacent their opposite ends asat 15, and the front end of the top piece 16 bent downwardly, providing a movable jaw 17 for cooperation with the jaw 6 and having a toothed surface 19, while the opposite end is spaced from the extension 8 to permit the lever 12 to be rocked upon its pivot.

.QEncircling the pivot 14 is a coil spring 20 having one terminal 21-bearing against the portion 8, and its other terminal 22 hearing against the lever 12, and operating to normally maintain the lever 12 horizontally disposed, and the jaws 6 and 18 respectively in gripping relation.

l Loosely fitted in the hook-like portion 10 of the extension 8 is a wire yoke 23, the parallel limbs 24 and 25 of which are coiled aboutthe rivet 26, the latter being passed transversely through the sides 13 of the lever 12. The limb 24 is extended upwardly through an elongated slot 27 in the top-16 of the lever 12, and curved forwardly and downwardly defining a prong 28, projecting through an opening 29 within the lever. 12 and terminating. adjacent the base 5, ap-

proximately in line with the meeting edges of the said jaws 6 and 18 respectively.

In use the tail portion 18 is depressed against the tension of the spring 20, thereby rocking the lever 12 upon its pivot and separating the jaw 17 from the jaw 6. During this operation, the rivet 26 fixed to the side walls 13 of the lever 12 is moved in an are about the fixed pivot 10, thereby imparting a rocking movement to the yoke 28 mounted in the eye 10, and raising the free end of the prong 28 out of the opening 29 as clearly shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. In this position of parts the prong is passed through the tie 30, and the jaws 6 and 18 arranged to receive the edge of the shirt As shown in Fig. 6- the clasp may be em ployed for fastening a flower or bouquet upon the lapel of a coat. When used in this capacity the stems of the flowers are clamped between the prong 28 and the top 16 of the lever 12, while the device proper is clamped upon the lapel in the manner shown in the drawing.

It is believed that from the foregoing description the natureand advantages of the invention will be clearly understood Without requiring a more extended explanation and therefore the same has been omitted. However I desire to have it understood that various changes in the construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is a 1. A clasp comprising a case, a spring pressed lever pivoted. on said base, a hook pivotally mounted-on the base and projecting through said lever and normally closed thereby, and said hook being connected to said lever, whereby when the latter is moved, the hook is correspondingly moved to either open or close the same.

2. A clasp comprising a base, a spring pressed lever pivotally mounted thereon, a hook having a fixed pivotal connection with the base, said hook projecting through the lever and normally closed thereby, and pivotally connected thereto, said last mentioned connection being movable in an are about said fixed pivot to operate said hook simultaneously on adjustment of said lever.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for 3. A clasp comprising a base having a forwardly projecting extension disposed above the base, a spring pressed lever pivotally mounted on the extension, a'hook pivotally connected with said extension and projecting through the lever and normally closed thereby, and a pivotal connection between said hook and lever for opening and closing said hook with relation to the lever simultaneously upon movement of the latter.

at. A clasp comprising a base having a forwardly'projecting extension disposed above the base, a lever pivoted thereon, a wire yoke pivotally mounted on the free end of said extension, said yoke terminating to provide a hook projecting through the lever and normally closed thereby, and a pivotal connection between said hook and lever for operating said lever simultaneously on movement of the latter to either opened or closed position.

5. A clasp comprising a base, a spring pressed lever pivoted on the base, a hook pivoted on the base and normally closed by said lever, said book being pivotally connected with said lever, whereby said hook is moved to full open position upon depression of the lever, and said spring operating to automatically return the parts to normal position upon release of the lever.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES W. BITNER. lVitnesses:

BENJAMIN P. KING, FRANK I. BABCOCK.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner 01 Patents, Washington, D. G. 

